Youth Jam Success December 4, 2006

this weekend saw one of the highlights of my ministry. i posted here about being invited to preach the commitment service at this annual mega-event. what an experience it was. i selected three of my youth to come and share their stories and offer a perspective on life that many of the participants don’t get to hear.

we arrived shortly before the big crowds gathered and watched as people poured in. there were 3,000 in total. needless to say everyone was getting nervous, including myself. i’ve never spoken to that many people at once. my kids were a little bored during the kutlass concert (christian rock not rap,) but they endured it. our section came shortly afterwards.

when it came time to take the stage, the nerves were really jumping. my plan was to have the girl who wanted to talk the least go first. she wanted to get it out of the way and done. in hindsight…maybe not such a good idea. i did a little intro then gave the mic to lexi, and she froze. it wasn’t a panic, she just couldn’t do anything, including talk. then the most amazing thing happened. i started to hear her name being chanted by the 3,000 total strangers encouraging her. a couple of more awkward moments passed of me trying to help her, then a few girls from the audience jumped up on stage, put their arms around her and said “just talk to us, we’re just hanging out.” she still wasn’t able to get anything out except “i love God” and handed me back the mic. for many this may seem like a disaster, but for me it was one of the greatest moments i’ve had in ministry. lexi is a girl who won’t ever get up in front of anyone but wanted to come to this event to share her story. the fact that she got up on stage at all was huge for her. the fact that all of those strangers showed their love gave her a good picture of what the church is called to be.

the other two kids did an outstanding job of sharing what life in da ‘hood is like, but more importantly how God walks with them. i preached a little on what having Jesus in you can mean then brought “dramz” (that’s him above) out to share one of his raps. this kid does for rap what charles wesley did for hymns. deeply theological and moving. the place rocked.

i continued on into a time of commitment and asked for those willing to make the commitment to come forward. the coordinators had other youth planted there to lead those who came forward in prayer. i can’t be sure but it seemed like at least half the room came forward and overwhelmed those trying to pray for everyone.

before we went out i told my three that if, during the time when people came forward, they wanted to go down and pray with them, they could. each said “no way…that’s not how we roll.” lo and behold, when all those kids responded to the call, my three went off the stage and prayed with them, even lexi. i was still on stage continuing the call just about in tears watching these teenagers show what church is about.

after it was over, i saw dozens of people come up and hug lexi. while that was going on, “dramz” and “scoot” were busy signing autographs. these three are certified superstars. even as we were driving out of akron in the car, people would pull up beside us, roll down the window and yell “you guys rock.”

i’ve been going to youth jam for awhile, and yes i’m biased, but i’ve never seen that kind of reaction to other youth before. there were national names at this thing, but those kids are going to remember the three from mansfield who faced their fear, showcased their talent and came off the stage to pray with them.

for those three from mansfield, they’ll remember that love that was showed to them from complete strangers, acknowledging them and affirming them.

for this one from mansfield, it was just great to be asked to come and be able to watch it all.